Vol. LXXXI
No. 40
Omaha, NE
27Sivan,5762
June 14,2002
SERVING NEBRASKA AND WESTERN IOWA FOR 81 YEARS
Jewish Press Wins First Place Award from AJPA with New Year's Issue
Israeli Diplomat to Visit Omaha
by DEBBI BROWN At last week's annual convention of the American pers as the Atlanta Jewish Times and the St. Louis Assistant Director, ADL/CRC — — — — Advocacy in support of Israel is a top community Jewish Press Association, the Jewish Press won Jewish Light, is truly an honor," said Carol first place in the Excellence in Special Sections or Katzman, Editor of the Jewish Press upon receiv- priority, and the ADL/CRC (Anti Defamation Supplements categoing the award. "It's a tribute to the Press League/Community Relations Committee) will be Moshe i staff: Advertising Manager Allan hosting ry for its 2001 New AJPA Ram, Consul Handleman, former Managing Editor Year's issue, Maureen LaPour, Account Executive General of Israel to "L'Chaim: Health American Jewish Press Association Ray Pred, the Midwest, as he Professionals in the visits Omaha- on Production Jewish Community." Assistant Jen Tuesday, June 18. The Press won over It is vital to reach Gates and the Atlanta Jewish out to our entire Bookkeeper Times for its "Best of Omaha community Tim Ketelsen, Atlanta & to encourage supalong with Sourcebook" and the port for Israel. The the free-lance Si. Louis Jewish Light use of the writers who for Simcha Magazine Palestinian-Israeli contributed to in the category of that issue: conflict by antiJewish newsMoshe Ram Diane Axler Semites as a justifipapers with Baum, Gary cation for anti-Jewish violence sends a dangerous circulation Javitch, Bert signal that religious minorities can be legitimately under 15,000. targeted as an outlet for political frustration. L e w i s , The AJPA Moshe Ram has been a member of the Israel Michelle annually sponsors Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1975. He has held Malashock, the Simon Rockower several positions and appointments both in and out awards in such cate Joan K. Marcus, and Rebecca of Israel. Most recently, he served as the Foreign gories as Excellence --•..«&GL. Murow. The cover was phoMinistry's Director of the Economic Division for Commentary, Editorial • tographed by Howard K. Asian, Pacific and Latin American Affairs. Writing, News Reporting, Marcus and designed by Ram was born in Haifa, Israel and earned a Graphic Design and Feature Richard Busse. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Middle Writing, among others. Named "We're very proud," Katzman added. Eastern Studies from Hebrew University in for the father of I Budd This same New Year's issue also placed Jerusalem. Following his military service in the Rockower, a Philadelphia philanthird in the Better Newspaper Contest of the thropist, the awards were estabNebraska Press Association in April. In that con- Israel Defense Forces, he maintains the position of lished during the term of the late *> test, a story by free-lance writer Leo Adam Biga, Captain in the reserves. There will be a community event at the Jewish Frank F. Wundohl of Philadelphia, who v about hidden children of the Holocaust, placed first served as AJPA president from 1978-81. in Single Features. Biga is the author of this week's Community Center on Tuesday, J u n e 18, 7:30 p.m. to hear insights from the Consul General. The Jewish Press previously won a Rockower front page story about a new Holocaust curriculum. award in 1997 in the same category for its 1996 The theme of the Sept. 6, 2002, New Year's Please join us for this dessert reception. Call the Health Watch issue. issue features "The 100th Anniversary of the ADL/CRC office at 333-1303 to make a reservation. Due to security, reservations will be required. "To place first, above such outstanding newspa- Jewish Federation of Omaha." by JEWISH PRESS News Service——————
Curriculum on Rescuers Gives Students New Perspective on the Holocaust by LEO ADAM BIGA — — —
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This past spring, about 45 Westside High School seniors, in two advanced placement European history classes, participated in a new Holocaust studies unit which got its first trial run at the District 66 school. Using a curriculum program developed by the local Hidden Heroes of the Holocaust Foundation, instructors Bill Hayes and Gina Gangel first had students immerse themselves in the events that gave rise to Hitler, Nazism and the persecution of Jews. Then, in a new twist to the school's traditional approach to the Holocaust, the instructors followed the lead of the foundation's adjunct curriculum and broke their classes into small groups to research documented rescue efforts from the Shoah in preparation for each group devising and discussing a hypothetical rescue plan of their own. Students based their plans on accounts in books and on the Internet. The idea behind placing students in the context of witnesses was to offer a deeper understanding of the peril faced by Jews, who desperately sought safe harbor, the moral choices involved for onlookers, the risks incurred by those who interceded as rescuers and the obstacles to doing good in a culture of hate or indifference. A visitor to Hayes' classroom in April found his students demonstrating a keen interest in the Holocaust materials and a facile grasp of the situation and its moral implications. The students were
Carrie Jenkins, right, is one Westside High School student who "tested" a new Holocaust curriculum, based on the theme of rescue, rather than victimhood. Photo by Jen Gates. smart, attentive and engaged as they grappled with some of the more troubling questions raised by events far removed from their own experience. In the end, students confronted both the nobler and baser aspects of humankind and came away with conclusions to some questions and a sense that answers may never be found to some others. An early session featured small group discussions in which students explored the ramifications of being a rescuer and the nuts-and-bolts of actual rescue operations, and a later session found stu-
dents presenting their plans for the assembled class. Through it all, Hayes acted as monitor, catalyst, advisor, provocateur—providing context at various points and challenging some assumptions at other junctures. The students' plans ranged widely in scope, methodology and feasibility: one, closely modeled after successful operations in Hungary, featured the use of safe passes and safe houses and back room negotiations with government-military officials in an effort to keep refugees unharmed. Another proposed a multi-national military strike force to lead raids on trains and camps to free Jews; a third plan imagined a group of sympathizers warning Jews of the Nazis' intentions and providing the means for their escape. A fourth scheme depended on a vast international monetary network to undermine German interests and to fund Jewish resistance and escape efforts. (Continued on page 13)
INSIDE: Temple Israel, Beth El Host Annual Meetings page 6 NCJW Provides Cable TV to Blumkin Home Residents , page 11 Crossword Puzzle Israel 101
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